CUSTOMERS RUSH TO REDEEM S&H; GREEN STAMPS

When Publix announced recently that its stores will stop giving out Sperry & Hutchinson Green Stamps on May 27, people began flocking to redemption stores to cash in stamps.

At the Boynton Beach S&H; Gift Center on the corner of Woolbright Road and Federal Highway, the shelves were almost empty last week. Most housewares and appliances had been grabbed by stamp collectors eager to use carefully hoarded stamp books.

Several customers wandered aisles and scanned shelves, hoping to find items others had missed. Some, after a deliberate search, ended up at the cash redemption window to get money for their stamp books.

The standard stamp book value at S&H; redemption centers is $1.20 if exchanged for money, and $2.50 if exchanged for merchandise, a gift center manager said. Some older books carry a higher value.

Ocean Ridge resident John Franey was unable to find items he wanted.

"I wanted two fishing rods, an electric screwdriver and a drill, but they were out of them," Franey said.

Tina Basilico of Delray Beach said, "I looked around, and didn't find anything. I don't care, I just want to get rid of all my stamps."

Despite the lines on the sidewalk, the store was quiet. A security guard stood by the door regulating entry; for every person who exited, he allowed someone to enter.

Those waiting to trade stamps for merchandise, and those waiting to get checks in exchange for stamp books, stood talking quietly. Most conversations focused on the end of Green Stamps at Publix.

Boynton Beach resident Pauline Bautz said she was glad about the change.

"I think you get a better deal with double coupons (at some stores) anyway," Bautz said.

Michael Clark, vice president of marketing for S&H;, said the high redemption percentage indicates that Green Stamps are still popular.

"We redeem over 90 percent of the stamps we issue," Clark said. "I think this tends to say someone's using them."

He said all S&H; redemption locations in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties will stay open and will receive new merchandise regularly.

Although centers will not close, S&H; stamps will be scarce after Publix ends distribution.

Bill Schroter, vice president of marketing for Publix, said he does not know of many other businesses carrying the stamps.

Publix accounted for about 99 percent of stamp distribution in Southeast Florida, Clark said. But the end of this chain's distribution does not mean the end of S&H; or redemption centers, he said.

Clark said plans to phase out the stamps have been in the works for a while. Last year, the company introduced an S&H; Visa card that gives stamp credits whenever it is used for a purchase. Shoppers can use this card in any store accepting Visa.

"Wherever Visa is accepted, stamps can be expected," Clark said.

Customers will also be able to use a catalog that S&H; updated last year.

Through these programs, Clark said S&H; hopes to improve customer service.

"We're moving from lick and stick, to quick and slick," Clark said, chuckling.

So even though the major source of stamps will disappear from Southeast Florida on May 27, he said, S&H; Green Stamps will be sticking around.